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Blackpool Lights

This Town's Disaster (2006)
Curb Appeal

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Contributed by: Brian
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 20th 2006

Fans who stayed loyal to the Get Up Kids through the otherwise alienating On a Wire and the perceived-by-some-as-pandering Guilt Show are going to find a lot to like about the proper debut from Blackpool Lights, This Town's Disaster. Featuring ex-Get Up Kid Jim Suptic on guitar and lead vocals (as well an ex-member of theSTART), the band channels a slight alt-country flair á la Limbeck and a similarly minded bounciness that was quite evident on the latter of the aforementioned albums.

The Lawrence, KS outfit's strength lies outright in their well-crafted songs. Each beg to be sung along to, from Suptic's admirably lively performance in the opening title track to road warrior anthem "Empty Tank" and the slightly melancholy "It's Never About What It's About," which carries a little bit of Cheap Trick swagger. "Crash Sounds" is a powered lullaby of sorts, with nice twinkling guitars but gruff delivery considering. Other places, it's tracks like "Empty Tank" and "Maybe Just Maybe" that reek of 'aw shucks' self-pity, but it's somehow rather endearing, presented in refreshingly honest ways that make it easy to get behind. "Unlucky" is as likeable a closer as they come.

This Town's Disaster isn't hard to decipher, but it's certainly not without charm. A solid first step from both band and label, it's a whole lot of fun and seems to come at the right time of the year despite the sometimes solemn content of its lyrics.

STREAM
This Town's Disaster
Blue Skies
It's Never About What It's About
Unlucky

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JKyle (November 8, 2006)

Just saw these guys open for Social D. Score is for their performance. Haven't listened to the album yet.

GlassPipeMurder (August 14, 2006)

Playing this on my college radio show right now...I've only played "Blue Skies" and "The Truth About Love" and I like 'em both a lot.

modelcitizen (June 24, 2006)

the ex-thestart member is billy brimblecrom. there is no band named brimblecrom. also, to the fool below that said initiation sucked, you are messed up. that was one of the best cds of '04. other than that, this cd is really really good. billy is as fine a drummer as they come.

Klonny (June 24, 2006)

Its sounds pretty good...But why does the lead singer sound like that dude in Green Day?

Anonymous (June 24, 2006)

and underoath is music for morons and retarded people

Anonymous (June 24, 2006)

boooooooooooring

Anonymous (June 23, 2006)

Now I realize Jim Suptic was the mastermind behind the success of the Get Up Kids. I like this album as much as any Get Up Kids release.

Anonymous (June 22, 2006)

Scruffy--

its nearly impossible to tell the singers from Drag the River apart. I've seen them 3 times now and I'm always surprised when I see Jon sing a song that I thought was clearly Chad's, and visa-versa. Hopefully when the disc comes out they'll at least have some writing credits so we can figure it out.

--Cos

SalsaShark (June 22, 2006)

That's right! We here at PN.org like generic bullshit skate-punk! Get it right!

Only kidding.

GreenVandal (June 20, 2006)

Why are you surprised that no one here wants to review a shit band like Underoaths new CD? I think your a little confused as to what the majority of regular posters and album reviewers here are into. Heres a hint...most of them dont like generic bullshit metalcore.

Oh, and this album is ok.

crazytoledo (June 20, 2006)

Posted by nocigar on 2006-06-20 13:57:37

In utter shock that no one decided to review the new Underoath Cd

Why? It fucking sucks. There's your review.

Agree'D.

I just picked it up and wrote my two cents on it.

onegirlarmy (June 20, 2006)

and I still can't score properly.

onegirlarmy (June 20, 2006)

I really, really like this record.

nocigar (June 20, 2006)

In utter shock that no one decided to review the new Underoath Cd

Why? It fucking sucks. There's your review.

Anonymous (June 20, 2006)

good review. the album is a bit uneven with some really good songs, and then some forgettable. great promise shown though. 3 1/2 is just right.

Anonymous (June 20, 2006)

That White Stripes DVD "Under Blackpool Lights" is pretty kick ass. Jack White kills on guitar...

danperrone (June 20, 2006)

is that the artist that did some of the later hot water music artwork or am i totally wrong?

it looks so familiar

ticklish (June 20, 2006)

Just listened to the whole thing on the AP site. Pretty good. Buying it in a couple hours when Best Buy opens -- $7.99 this week.

Scruffy (June 20, 2006)

Man, what happened to theSTART? Death Via Satellite was so awesome, and Initiation blew goats.

Also, since we're in the reviews section, does anyone know which vocalist sings the first song on the new Drag The River CD? Despite the fact that I should be, I'm not a huge fan of All orArmchair Martian, mostly due to lack of exposure, so I don't know whose voice is whose. If someone could tell me, it would greatly enable me to write a review of the album.

crazytoledo (June 20, 2006)

In utter shock that no one decided to review the new Underoath Cd.

SloaneDaley (June 20, 2006)

I really need to hear this record as far as post GUK goes I think this and The Terrible Twos will be the best.